This Iowa Native And Hundreds Of Others Deliver The Promise Of Warmer Weather Today

Iowans need this news today. After hitting a low temperature of -10 in Cedar Rapids this morning, a sure sign of spring has arrived. Today's the day that pitchers, including Iowa City native Michael Wacha (above), and catchers report to spring training for 13 major league teams. Thank goodness. St. Louis Cardinals baseball is one of my favorite things, period. Five other teams had mandatory reporting yesterday and by Sunday, all of the major league pitchers & catchers will be in camp. The Minnesota Twins, the parent club of our Cedar Rapids Kernels are the last to report, on Sunday.

The snow will disappear soon, the grass will begin to green, and opening day will be here. The Cardinals and Cubs have the very first game of the regular season on the night of April 5th, at Wrigley Field. The late start to the season means that regular season games won't conclude til the first weekend in October.

Closer to home, the Midwest League season begins for the Kernels on April 9th, at Kane County. Veterans Memorial Stadium opens its doors to Cedar Rapids fans for the first time this season on April 12th... a 4:05 start against Beloit. Here's hoping that it's a beautiful day.